Office of Public Affairs Acadia University Wolfville, Nova Scotia B0P 1X0 (902) 585-1362 Fax (902) 585-1072 News Release For Release: May 1, 2000

First honorary Degrees of the new century to be awarded at Acadia University spring convocation

(Wolfville, NS) - Spring convocation at Acadia University May 14-15 is not only the first convocation of the new century, but also the first graduating class to entirely complete their degrees in the Acadia Advantage program. Joining this year's landmark graduating class are four honorary degree recipients.

At the convocation exercises for the Arts and the Acadia Divinity College on Sunday, May 14, Dr. Eugene Mayne Thompson will receive a Doctor of Divinity and Lieutenant-General David N. Kinsman will receive a Doctor of Civil Laws.

During the Monday, May 15, convocation exercises, Stanley T. Spicer will be awarded a Doctor of Civil Laws and David N. Harpp will receive a Doctor of Science.

Dr. Eugene Mayne Thompson grew up in Oxford, NS, graduating with a B.A. from Acadia University in 1954 and a B.D. in 1956 (exchanged for a M.Div. in 1976). He received a Doctor of Ministry degree at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, USA, in 1979. During his forty years of work with Baptists in Canada, Dr. Thompson served on several boards and committees, including the Board of Trustees of the Acadia Divinity College.

Lieutenant-General David N. Kinsman, a native of Aylesford, NS, is the highest-ranking officer in the Canadian Air Force. He completed his B.Sc. at Acadia University in 1963. After graduating, he trained as a pilot and began instructional duties with the United States Air Force. With posting to numerous Canadian Forces Bases, Kinsman was promoted to Lieutenant General in 1996 and Chief of the Air Staff in 1998.

Stanley T. Spicer, native of Canning, NS, was educated at Kings County Academy, the University of New Brunswick, Springfield College and received a B.Ed. from Acadia University in 1946. He has made numerous contributions to local history, documenting the history and heritage of sailing in Atlantic Canada.  Spicer has also contributed to his community, serving on several non-profit associations at his home on Spicer Island.

Dr. David N. Harpp, obtained an A.B. from Middlebury College and a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He has distinguished himself by perfecting the lap dissolve technique, used in the teaching of science subjects. Harpp is also committed to science awareness; he has received numerous awards recognizing his teaching and research accomplishments and his promotion of science to the wider community. He is currently a professor and chairman of the Chemistry Department at McGill University.

During the spring convocation, more than 870 students will graduate from Acadia University in the faculties of Arts, Pure and Applied Science and Professional Studies, as well from the Acadia Divinity College.
 

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Published by: The Office of Public Affairs Last revised: June 2,  2000 URL: http://www.acadiau.ca/whatsnew/newsrelease/honorarydegreesrelease.htm